Case Studies and Evaluations
3.6 Some Parallels to be drawn
The above case studies may be just a few of cases where HN/AIDS has been disclosed. The writer knows of other case studies, but those people have failed to disclose their status publicly and have refused permission for their stories to be included. This gives rise to the question: "Why the silence?" Indians have also become vulnerable to the pandemic. Indians elsewhere too have become vulnerable.
3.6.1 South African Indians contrasted with those in India
The writer interviewed both Rev. John Ayyala and Pastor Simon Karinjottazhikathie of South India (Appendix 6), who are exchange students at the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg. They disclosed shocking attitudes amongst Indians in India towards HIV/AIDS. Both these members of the clergy from India informed me that HIVIAIDS is a common sickness among truck drivers and drug peddlers in India. People in India regard AIDS as a deadly shame. Family members would disassociate themselves from infected members.
In fact, they will not even touch them. They have seen AIDS corpses being dragged onto the street with a rope to be cremated (Ayyala and Karinjottazhikathie 200 I: interviews).
The people themselves will not disclose that they are HIV positive because of the fear of being treated in a brutal manner. Those infected will live with families in denial until they are too ill to worry any more. It is at this point that families throw them out. This is gruesome. As pastors, they themselves are not allowed to address this problem from the pulpit. If they do, violence will flare up and they will be stripped of holy orders and thrown into the street. In most quarters in India HIVIAIDS is a "no go" subject (Ayyala 2001, interviewed on 04110101).
This is due primarily to the fact of the stigma attached to HIV/AIDS and to the caste system. High-class people will go to great lengths to maintain their status.
When the newspapers get hold of news of an infected person they spread the
40 news in bold print so as to bring shame upon the infected and affected persons. It is common to see infected persons lying on the streets (Ayyala 2001: Interview).
In India prostitution is the main agent whereby HIV1AIDS spreads to others, because prostitution is common. Poverty is an allied factor, aggravating the circumstances that lead to the spread of HIV/AIDS. People need to survive and prostitution has become a lucrative business.There is no control over prostitution and as a result even children are lured into prostitution (Karinjottazhikathie 2001:Interview on04/11/01).
In India there are some AIDS Houses that provide counselling, social, and physical services. Both John and Simon felt that the authorities are doing too little to fight this pandemic. They also were of the opinion that Indians in South Africa may reveal the same traits as their counterparts in India. This may be seen in subtle forms, (Karinjottazhikathie, interviewed on 04/11/01).
3.6.2 Silent Epidemic in India
The writer draws attention to this story to show the similar attitudes adopted by Indians elsewhere. The media draw attention to the ninety percent of those Indians infected with the HIV/AIDS virus who do not even know that they have the disease. The publisher of " Silent epidemic in India" (Natal Witness 18 July 2002) claims that India has the second largest number of people with HIVIAIDS in the world. The epidemic in India is still a silent one. Though silent, the
statistics show that migrating men,on returning to their wives, have been tested positive and have become high risk.Clinics attended by women record that more than two percent of women have HIV/AIDS.India faces an uphill battle because of the enormous social and cultural stigma attached to HIV/AIDS. UNAIDS has projected that in a few years time India will have the largest number of people in the world infected with HIV/AIDS (Natal Witness 18 July 2002:14)
It seems that India also displays a slow pace in addressing the HIVIAIDS issue.
India has taken its first faltering steps towards tackling AIDS.
But, nearly seven years after the first cases of HIV infection were detected, it is increasingly clear that ignorance, apathy and corruption are proving powerful allies to the virus (New Scientist 14 Nov 1992:6).
3.6.3 Indian family and lifestyles
One can learn from what world leaders are projecting for the future and also see that Indians in India have similar problems to Indians in N/R. Unless the real issues are addressed, HIV/AIDS could outstrip us. Kathleen Cravero, deputy executive director of UNA IDS said:
There are clear warnings that the epidemic could escalate in many countries, if urgent action is not taken.HIVIAIDS infections in Asia could outstrip chronically-hit Africa in the comingdecade,unless
urgent action is taken to stop the spread (Natal Witness April 24, 2001:5).
As an Indian, the writer understands that numerous Indians throughout South Africa have adopted the same culture and attitudes as those of the Indians of India,even though they are South African and although most have never placed their feet on the soil of India. This focus on India and HIVIAIDS helps to show that Indians in N/R adopt the same attitudes and related cultures of India. This
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may be due to common culture traits. India is the second largest country in the
world that is threatened by the HIV/AIDS pandemic (India Today 30/11/92).
The war against HN/AIDS had begun.
For too long India had foolishly denied that it had a problem. Now the AIDS time-bomb is ticking furiously, and the nation must take rapid steps to defuse it before it explodes with epidemic force (India Today 30 Nov. 1992).